John C. Rickaby, age 84, of Medford, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at the Continental Manor Nursing Home in Abbotsford where he resided for the last three years, surrounded by his loving sister and family. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 18, 2013 at New Life Pentecostal Church in Medford. Pastor Ron Schuenke will officiate. A time of visitation will be on Saturday from 11:30 am until the time of service at the church in Medford. Burial will be in the Medford Evergreen Cemetery.

John was born in the Town of Medford, Taylor County on August 29, 1928 to Charles and Anna (Ekdahl) Rickaby. He was the seventh of nine children.

He spent most his life in Taylor County, Town of Hammel except for a short time when the family lived in Illinois, the family moved back to the home farm in the Town of Hammel, where he lived until 2008 when he went to live with his sister, Nancy in Abbotsford.

John proudly served his country in the US Army from 1950 to 1952. During the time he was in the service, he trained in Fort Knox and went to mechanic school where he earned first place in his class and was honored by leading a huge parade which he was very proud of. John was then stationed in Germany training and repairing the trucks and tanks. He was also wounded there. After returning home he went to work at Hurd Millwork in Medford as a machinist and did maintenance, retiring at the age of 65. John made many of the machines that were used at Hurd Millwork. He also did mechanic work at home for his neighbors and friends.

He enjoyed making machines and entered some at the Perkinstown 4th of July parade where he won 1st place. His greatest interest was leading the youth group at church, he enjoyed young people. John traveled some, played piano and sang. He went to swap meets and auctions, but he mostly worked and had no time for himself.

John is survived by two sisters; Nancy Cox of Abbotsford and Karen (Earl) Hoeck of Medford and two sisters-in-law; Gerry Rickaby of California and Edna Rickaby of Texas, and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Walter in 1936, Charles Jr. in 2003 and Kenneth in 2007, three sisters; Helen Staab in 1985, Lillian Selby in 2008 and Mary Jensen in 2011 and four brothers-in-law; Jake Staab, Richard Cox, F. P. Jensen Jr. and Bernard Selby.

The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.